The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME)
recently appointed a new chair and CEO to helm the membership organization
representing the independent mortgage industry. Jonathan Haddad will assume the
lead role at AIME on April 1, succeeding current chair and CEO Katie Sweeney.
Haddad brings 10 years of mortgage industry experience to
the trade group. He previously served as a vice president at one of the largest
retail mortgage companies in the country before transitioning to the brokerage
side of the industry in 2020, becoming the owner, president and a top
originator at Next Door Lending.
“I am honored to take on the role of CEO at AIME and have
seen firsthand the strength and potential of the broker community,” Haddad said
in a press release. “My goal is to further enhance AIME’s commitment to
supporting mortgage brokers and fostering their growth and success in the
industry.”
Sweeney stepped down from AIME to become the full-time CEO
of the Broker Action Coalition (BAC), which was established under her direction
in 2022. Under Sweeney’s leadership, AIME saw a 300 percent increase in total
annual membership to more than 65,000, with minority membership increasing by
450 percent and female membership by 400 percent. The organization also grew
its lender and vendor network by 190 percent and grew the wholesale market
share from 18 percent to 25 percent, while also launching broker education and
training programs and earning 14 industry-leading awards, among other
accomplishments.
“Continuing to partner with AIME is crucial for advancing
the interests of brokers, and we are focused on the positive impact this
collaboration will have on our shared goals,” Sweeney said. “I firmly believe
that together, we can achieve great things for our channel.”
Since its inception, the BAC and the BACPAC have raised more
than $1.5 million in advocacy funding and grown into the leading policy
advocate for more than 50,000 independent mortgage professionals nationwide,
according to the release. The organization proposes and supports legislation intended
to afford wholesale mortgage experts the same opportunities and advantages as
retail mortgage brokers.
AIME provides support to its membership and development
programs, including high-level loan escalations with AIME lender partners,
broker education via AIME Academy, consumer education through
brokersarebetter.com, wholesale networking opportunities, the annual Fuse
national conference and supporting BAC advocacy efforts.
“I’ve been a leader at AIME since its inception and I value
our community greatly,” AIME President Marc Summers said. “We’re very proud of
what we’ve accomplished in just the past few years, and we’re excited to build
on that momentum and continue our growth and together, we will work towards a
future that’s bright for brokers.”
Under Haddad’s leadership, AIME said it plans to introduce
new initiatives, including an increased focus on retail to wholesale originator
recruitment, enhanced business support for wholesale brokerages and promoting “pro-broker”
awareness initiatives.
“I want to create an environment where brokers thrive,
fostering growth and success for all participants in the wholesale channel,”
Haddad said. “I’ve seen both sides of our industry, and I can wholeheartedly
say that the future of mortgage is with independent brokers. I made the
decision to put homebuyers first when I moved into the wholesale world, and
now, I’m doubling down on my commitment to them and the entire broker
community.”
United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), AIME’s title sponsor and
the nation’s top mortgage lender, expressed support for AIME and Haddad’s
appointment, per the release.
“It is no secret that UWM is 100 percent dedicated to the
continued growth and success of the broker channel and supportive of anything
and anyone that aligns with this focus,” UWM President and CEO Mat Ishbia said.
“I look forward to seeing Jonathon build upon the strong foundation AIME has
today and do great things to support the broker community and educate borrowers
that the broker channel is the best choice for them.”
AIME was founded in 2018 by Anthony Casa, president of
Garden State Home Loans and initiator of the recent Brokers Rallying Against
Whole-Tail Lending (BRAWL) movement, to represent brokers, loan originators,
processors, etc. who own or work for or in support of entities that do not
underwrite their own loans.